It has been one delicious year since Phillip and I made the decision to be 100% full-time vegans.
The Farm Sanctuary in Orland, CA
We first toyed with the idea after a coworker lent me the book Skinny Bitch. Yes, Phillip got curious and ended up reading it too (it’s what prompted him to become vegetarian). That book is a real hilarious diet eye-opener. We liked the thought of being vegan, but, while sitting at Claim Jumper, the execution seemed difficult.
Yet, it still remained in the back of our minds.
Eventually, a doctor confirmed that vegan was the best diet to prolong my kidney function, and I committed to being vegan at home. This was simple as there are a ton of milk, butter and cheese substitutes out in the market now. It was also simple because we were eating out a lot and I was treating myself to volumes of cheese enchiladas and macaroni and cheese, not my doctor’s intention I’m sure.
Then in May 2012, Phillip thought he might have more energy and better digestion if he gave up dairy and eggs. That was all I needed: a buddy! Together we put down the cheese and opted for oatmeal instead of omelets.
Once the decision was solidified and there was no wiggle room, everything became much easier. We realized that there are a plethora of vegan options when eating out and we’ve had fun sifting through new cookbooks and finding vegan restaurants.
The big upside to being vegan is that I no longer feel guilty about what is on my plate. The industrialized meat and dairy industries are heartbreaking. I had ignored, for far too long, what my diet was subjecting animals too. Awareness and compassion seem to be side effects of following this diet.
Last Saturday, Phillip and I ventured to the Farm Sanctuary in Orland, CA. It is a place where abused, neglected and rescued animals can go to peacefully live out their days as ambassadors for the billions of animals used to produce food.
They offer tours on the weekends. We joined a group of 15 to learn about institutionalized farming practices and meet the animals.
I’d like to introduce you to a few of my new friends:
Olive the turkey was the sweetest. She patiently walked around the circle we formed and allowed people to pet her. She was super curious and has a very soft head. Her beak had been severely clipped because the enclosures at factory farms are so small that the birds get stressed and peck at each other. Most of the turkeys we saw were all white because people prefer white meat and feather color affects that.
There were too many sheep all at once for the guides to tell us all of their names, but the one I pet loved the attention. 
Kevin is a broiler chicken. He was bred to have an extra large breast which can cause cardiovascular and mobility problems. He was also very friendly and walked right up to people to peck at their arms and be pet. 
Tom was awesome! All the geese were big fans of the sprinklers. 
This chicken was one of 200 abandoned by a farmer locally. They had been without food and water for more than two weeks before they came to live at the sanctuary. Her comb is a bit floppy, but should perk back up soon.
Elliot the cow was the kissiest. He was quick to love-up on anyone who came within a foot of his mouth. I do believe he relished the attention. He was found on the side of the road in a state park. When a passerby couldn’t find a heard or farmer, she brought Elliot to the sanctuary.
Reggie was my favorite. After taking the longest pee in the history of all urination, he waddled over to the wall and took a load off. The moment I touched his belly, he rolled over to grant full access to relaxation. Reggie was purchased by a reporter who was going to write a story about raising your own food, after naming and getting to know Reggie, she couldn’t follow-though on her plans and brought him to the sanctuary. Though Reggie has wiry black hair, most of the pigs had pink hair as that also impacts the color of the meat and since pigs are marketed as “the other white meat” they have been bred to be pink (not their natural coloring).
You gotta love that face!!
If you’re interested to learn more about becoming vegan or about the industrialized meat industry, I highly recommend these resources:
- Skinny Bitch by Rory Freedman and Kim Barnouin
- Crazy Sexy Diet by Kris Carr
- Eating Animals by Jonathan Safran Foer (Phillip read this & found it informative)
- The Farm Sanctuary Website: http://www.farmsanctuary.org/
- Super Yummy Vegan Deliciousness: Healthy Happy Life by Kathy Patalsky
Bon appetit!!